MC General Chat

[patrickBOOTH]

I disagree. Denim shirts aren’t really business casual.

 

[Gus]

I disagree. Denim shirts aren’t really business casual.

Unless your business is cattle

 

[Journeyman]

One thing that's cool about Brooks Brothers now is this vertical integration and that they've maintained all these jobs and skillsets through their Garland shirt factory, Southwick and NYC tie factory. Downsizing for the sake of a corporate sale (as Epaulet claims in the post) is like the most soulless possible reason to do so.

Wowsers - I really hope that Epaulet somehow misheard or misinterpreted information. If BB is going to close down its NYC tie factory, as Epaulet says in its post, that would be very sad news. I've got quite a few BB ties and they are all very good and tie very nice knots, too.

However, at least in BB's Australian stores, all of the ties are too skinny nowadays. I'm not sure if that's an international thing, or whether it's just Brooks Brothers' impression of the Australian market.

 

[clee1982]

What’s so great about BB’s NYC tie, seems pretty BAU to me, what’s their pricing point now, I will be surprised if you can’t find alternative just as good at same px point even from Europe.

 

[mossrockss]

Wowsers - I really hope that Epaulet somehow misheard or misinterpreted information. If BB is going to close down its NYC tie factory, as Epaulet says in its post, that would be very sad news. I've got quite a few BB ties and they are all very good and tie very nice knots, too.

However, at least in BB's Australian stores, all of the ties are too skinny nowadays. I'm not sure if that's an international thing, or whether it's just Brooks Brothers' impression of the Australian market.

I think the news is that they're closing down private label make across the board (which is exactly what I heard from another source regarding their shirt factory). So, BB will still make the ties, shirts and Southwick will make the tailoring for BB, but no one else anymore.

 

[Journeyman]

I will be surprised if you can’t find alternative just as good at same px point even from Europe.

True, you probably can.

However, I like quite a few of the patterns (paisley, regimental stripes, small neat prints) on my BB silk ties. I also have a really nice silk madder tie, with a very nice heft and hand, and a couple of wool ties in great check and houndstooth patterns.

 

[sid11111]

One thing that's cool about Brooks Brothers now is this vertical integration and that they've maintained all these jobs and skillsets through their Garland shirt factory, Southwick and NYC tie factory. Downsizing for the sake of a corporate sale (as Epaulet claims in the post) is like the most soulless possible reason to do so.

Isn't the problem really that the business isn't profitable enough to justify maintaining it? If the private label sales were profitable enough BB wouldn't need to close them would they?

 

[clee1982]

BB still makes decent stuff here and there and it’s kind nice one stop shop but I just struggle to see how each of their staple is not filled by niche that does better at same if not better price...

i suppose the appeal is one stop shop?

 

[Van Veen]

Isn't the problem really that the business isn't profitable enough to justify maintaining it? If the private label sales were profitable enough BB wouldn't need to close them would they?

If it's true that they are planning to sell the company, that might not be true. They might just be streamlining/consolidating to make it more attractive to investors.

 

[clee1982]

If SW by itself is more profitable than BB, better just sale SW by itself...

 

[sid11111]

If it's true that they are planning to sell the company, that might not be true. They might just be streamlining/consolidating to make it more attractive to investors.

If SW by itself is more profitable than BB, better just sale SW by itself...

Yes I would think it made more biz sense to spin off the company and sell it rather than downsizing, where everybody loses. I mean if it were a good business one could easily pick up the scraps of the downsized portions to continue as a business as well right?

 

[mak1277]

BB still makes decent stuff here and there and it’s kind nice one stop shop but I just struggle to see how each of their staple is not filled by niche that does better at same if not better price...

i suppose the appeal is one stop shop?

I think it's perception too. I think many (most?) men who aren't into style just assume BB is making good stuff. Just like most people think Rolex is the top of the line watch you could ever buy.

Even for me, I don't always want to shop around the internet, read reviews, price compare and then buy something online that may or may not fit...may or may not be high quality...etc. I'd almost always prefer the ability to handle something and try it on before I buy.

Perfect example is S&M. I know they make great stuff, but I keep hesitating to buy a pair of their trousers for the simple fact that I don't want to go through the hassle of messing with a return when the first pair doesn't fit.

 

[clee1982]

though for one stop shop I would go RL rather than BB (understand BB is more "traditional" stuff, and probably has a lot more leather goods for example)

 

[vdubiv]

I disagree. Denim shirts aren’t really business casual.

what is business casual anymore?

 

[mak1277]

what is business casual anymore?

I steadfastly refuse to wear jeans to work, even though my company has gone to "jeans friday". I have, however, worn a denim shirt with sport coat on jeans friday. I only hated myself a little.